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Common Causes of Hip Pain in Women

The hip joint is one of the largest joints in the body. This ball and socket joint is responsible for bearing the body’s weight during activities like standing, walking and running.

Washington University Orthopedics reports that arthritis is one of the most common causes of pain in the hip. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis to cause pain in the hip joint in women. This arthritis develops as a result of the wear and tear that the joint experiences as people age. Mild cases are treated with pain relieving medications, while more severe ones are managed with hip replacement operations.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine states that fractures of the hip are other common causes of hip pain. This is especially true for women who have passed menopause and have osteoporosis. This condition causes reduced bone density, making the bones brittle and prone to fracturing. Hip fractures are treated surgically by implanting screws and plates.

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center reports that iliotibial band tendinitis causes pain on the outside of the hip. This condition develops as a result of inflammation of the tendon that connects the muscles to the joint. Overuse of the tendon, especially in runners, and excessive stretching are common causes of its inflammation. This condition is treated by resting the joint, physiotherapy and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen.

Bursitis also causes pain in the hip in women. Bursa are fluid filled sacs, which cushion the parts of the hip that are close to the surface. They become inflamed from irritation or overuse and cause pain when the hip joint is moved. Treatment of bursitis involves the use of NSAIDS.

Inguinal hernias are other causes of hip pain in women. These usually develop in pregnant women due to the added pressure on the wall of their abdomen from the growing uterus. Hernias can be treated surgically once the woman delivers.

According to Mayo Clinic, sciatica can also cause pain in the hip. This pain arises as a result of a pinched sciatic nerve. It is usually felt in the back of the hip, though it also radiates down the leg. Sciatica is treated with NSAIDS and physiotherapy.

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